Teen charged with safe breaking

COLDWATER — Michigan State Police troopers caught two juveniles in the middle of a burglary Thursday afternoon when they were called to a Richard Street address in Quincy township.

The investigation led to the arrest of Jeremiah Freeman, 17, of Quincy, who was charged with conspiracy and safe-breaking.

The call came in just before 5 p.m. in reference to the house just west of Quincy-Grange Road north of U.S. 12. Trooper Scott Tuttle found two juveniles inside the home when he arrived.

Both admitted theft of items along with more than $1,000 in damages, including a gun safe which had been broken open. The safe was owned by Caldera owner James Maynard.

The juveniles also implicated Freeman.

When Tuttle located and confronted Freeman he admitted the crime but denied they theft of any guns.

Freeman was charged with safe-breaking, a life offense, home invasion second degree and conspiracy to commit home invasion with the two juveniles, both 15-year felonies. He was also charged with the five-year charge of malicious destruction of property over $1,000.

Branch County District Judge Brent Weigle set bond at $100,000 and scheduled a preliminary examination for within 21 days.